For any film buffs out there, the 2019 documentary AN ACCIDENTAL STUDIO is an entertaining look at a studio that came out of nowhere and had a hell of a run.
When Monty Python wanted to create their hilarious take on biblical films "The Life of Brian", no major studio would touch them, bowing to the conservatives in power in the 80's.
Former Beatle George Harrison was friends with several of the comedy troupe and said "I'll finance it". What a smart choice that was. Not only was the film a huge hit against its budget, but it blazed a trail for folks outside the studio system to launch films.
The film follows Harrison's Handmade Films from its conception with funny and insightful interviews with Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam, John Cleese, Terry Jones, Eric Idle, Michael Caine and many others.
They're all frank, appreciative and sometimes apologetic for what they put Harrison through. Harrison is funniest of all, relating how he mortgaged his home to finance "Brian", which grossed $21 million in the US alone, huge money at the time.
Handmade made some terrific and memorable films, including "Time Bandits" and "The Long Good Friday" which won a Best Actor for Bob Hoskins. Hoskins would come back to Handmade for the 1986 hit "Mona Lisa".
They also made some absolute crap, including the Sean Penn/Madonna bomb "Shanghai Surprise". A total train wreck of a movie, Penn delivers a funny interview about what an a-hole he was the entire time they were filming.
Loaded with on-set footage and film clips, AN ACCIDENTAL STUDIO is a fast-paced trip down memory lane and an enjoyable ride that gets a solid B.
An Accidental Studio
2019
Action / Documentary
An Accidental Studio
2019
Action / Documentary
Plot summary
The studio came about through Sir Bernard Delfont, then head of EMI Films. Reading the script of Monty Pythons Life of Brian and turning it down days before filming was due to start, Eric Idle told George Harrison about the problem in conversation and George said that he would find the money and so, Handmade Films were formed in 1978, Long Good Friday after being made was going to be dropped until Bob Hoskins in talking to Eric said that he must have made a fortune with Brian did he want to buy a film. Eric saw it and past it onto Handmade, Other successful films that have come their way include Mona Lisa, The Missionary, Private Function, Water, Bellman and True,Lonely Passioon of Judith Hearne, Withnail and Time Bandits,
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